Sign Swingers



I know you've all seen them, waving or swinging signs bearing phone numbers and/or developer names imploring you to phone and inquire about buying or renting a house. I always wonder, "where do they find the people to do this? Do they look in classified ads for a position as a Sign Bearer or Banner Swinger? What job title do these folks have?"



They're on their feet for hours swinging their signs, with nary anyone paying much heed. I watched this guy yesterday as he waved and swung his sign alerting passersby to vacancies in the apartment building across the street. Sometimes the sign would swing like the hands of clock gone wild and I wondered if people had clue which building he was pointing to!



He'd take sporadic breaks to exercise and sip water, but mostly, he remained at his post in the full blown sun, headphones on, swinging the sign. He left around 1:00 p.m. and I figured he'd done his duty for the day. He packed everything up and ambled down the sidewalk. I thought for sure I'd soon see him at the apartments across the street, turning in his sign for the day.



After sometime, he never materialized and I wondered what had become of him. He returned within an hour, towing the sign under his arms and walking more slowly. Standing for hours is hard work and murder on the back and legs. It occurred to me that he'd taken the sign to lunch with him. Of all the work-related accessories to tote, that blasted sign is not one I would want. I would have ditched it in the bushes. After all, who the hell would want to steal it!



Postscript

This is when it pays to have a digital SLR camera with a variety of lenses. You can be far from your subject and still capture those great moments. With my compact point and shoot, I have to practically be on top of my subject. Not ideal for capturing candid, unstaged shots from afar.

Sign Swingers



I know you've all seen them, waving or swinging signs bearing phone numbers and/or developer names imploring you to phone and inquire about buying or renting a house. I always wonder, "where do they find the people to do this? Do they look in classified ads for a position as a Sign Bearer or Banner Swinger? What job title do these folks have?"



They're on their feet for hours swinging their signs, with nary anyone paying much heed. I watched this guy yesterday as he waved and swung his sign alerting passersby to vacancies in the apartment building across the street. Sometimes the sign would swing like the hands of clock gone wild and I wondered if people had clue which building he was pointing to!



He'd take sporadic breaks to exercise and sip water, but mostly, he remained at his post in the full blown sun, headphones on, swinging the sign. He left around 1:00 p.m. and I figured he'd done his duty for the day. He packed everything up and ambled down the sidewalk. I thought for sure I'd soon see him at the apartments across the street, turning in his sign for the day.



After sometime, he never materialized and I wondered what had become of him. He returned within an hour, towing the sign under his arms and walking more slowly. Standing for hours is hard work and murder on the back and legs. It occurred to me that he'd taken the sign to lunch with him. Of all the work-related accessories to tote, that blasted sign is not one I would want. I would have ditched it in the bushes. After all, who the hell would want to steal it!



Postscript

This is when it pays to have a digital SLR camera with a variety of lenses. You can be far from your subject and still capture those great moments. With my compact point and shoot, I have to practically be on top of my subject. Not ideal for capturing candid, unstaged shots from afar.

Santa Monica's Ocean Ave.


















Unlike the homes along Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach, the housing in Santa Monica is so sterile and modern, it's easy to mistake them for office buildings. This is some of the most expensive real estate in the state yet, it's suprisingly ordinary and unspectacular.








Palisades Park is directly opposite condo and apartment row. This is their view when they exit their buildings. Most unit's front door opens to face their neighboring building.








Below Palisades Park, directly off Pacific Coast Hwy., are the homes literally on the beach. Of course, they separate themselves from the everyday folk by enclosing their properties with 8 foot high fences (thus obliterating their own ocean view from the backyard). I guess, this why many of these homes feel the need to have their own swimming pool, though, they're a stone's throw from the ocean!

Rest in Peace Laci & Conner Peterson




At approximately 1:10 p.m. my co-worker rushed over to my cube to tell me the verdict in the Scott Peterson trial: Guilty - first degree murder for Laci Peterson and second degree murder for her son Conner. Reminiscent of the O.J. Trial, disbelief ensued but, unlike O.j., a collective sigh of relief and agreement with the verdict followed.



Not one co-worker expressed that they believed Peterson innocent. All firmly believe in his guilt, but thought Geragos (Peterson's attorney), would help him walk by getting the case mistrialed or, at the very least, a hung jury. Again, unlike O.J., everyone was satisfied with the verdict and believed justice prevailed.



Considering the roller coaster ride of last week's election and its horrible outcome, the Peterson guilty verdict is a much needed infusion of good news. May Laci's family find some solace and be able to advance their lives forward. Enough energy, money and time has been expended on this cold blooded murderer.



Addionally, I received email alerting me of the verdict from my neighbor, sister and nephew and phone calls from spouse and my mother. It seemed like everyone was jubilant and wanted to share the joy and amazement that Peterson was not allowed to skirt this. He didn't charm his way out of this one, nor did his parents buy him a path to freedom by hiring a high profile attorney.

Rest in Peace Laci & Conner Peterson




At approximately 1:10 p.m. my co-worker rushed over to my cube to tell me the verdict in the Scott Peterson trial: Guilty - first degree murder for Laci Peterson and second degree murder for her son Conner. Reminiscent of the O.J. Trial, disbelief ensued but, unlike O.j., a collective sigh of relief and agreement with the verdict followed.



Not one co-worker expressed that they believed Peterson innocent. All firmly believe in his guilt, but thought Geragos (Peterson's attorney), would help him walk by getting the case mistrialed or, at the very least, a hung jury. Again, unlike O.J., everyone was satisfied with the verdict and believed justice prevailed.



Considering the roller coaster ride of last week's election and its horrible outcome, the Peterson guilty verdict is a much needed infusion of good news. May Laci's family find some solace and be able to advance their lives forward. Enough energy, money and time has been expended on this cold blooded murderer.



Addionally, I received email alerting me of the verdict from my neighbor, sister and nephew and phone calls from spouse and my mother. It seemed like everyone was jubilant and wanted to share the joy and amazement that Peterson was not allowed to skirt this. He didn't charm his way out of this one, nor did his parents buy him a path to freedom by hiring a high profile attorney.

Today was an excellent day at work; the majority of the building was off for the holiday, while the rest of us had a very relaxed, easy going day. Some played Monopoly, others played the card game Spades, Dominos andmothers simply visited and caught up with each other. It's so hectic, we normally don't have an opportunity to know what's going on in each others lives.



I usually carry Uno, Boggle and Dominos in my car trunk, but wouldn't you know, I didn't have anything. I'd removed them long ago and forgotten to return them. I've been placed on notice by co-worker's to remedy my oversight and correct the situation! LOL



One guy is such a darn good Scrabble player, that everyone fears him. Apparently, he arrived in 1987 from the Phillipines. Unable to find work and believing his English to be in need of improvement, he committed to playing Scrabble daily from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. - playing became his job.



Scrabble consumed his life and after twelve hour days, he would dedicate another two or three hours nightly analyzing and dissecting his every move in a quest to improve and master the game. He even memorized the Scrabble Dictionary, the number of tiles per letter and words ending in Q, I and U.



He became so good, that he outfoxed his family, friends and wanna be opponents. Running out of challengers and feeling unchallenged by those available, he stopped playing. Now he plays very infrequently and cannot approach the game as a fun venture. It always has to be a death match and leaving his playmates feeling in his words "demoralized and defeated!"



J. stopped by to visit and shared her lumpectomy experience. Her cancer's at stage one - which is excellent news - but the doctor wants her to undergo radiation and chemo because of her family history. She's very afraid about hair loss and cried. All did their best to reassure and comfort her and we ended on a high note of laughter and current events.

Today was an excellent day at work; the majority of the building was off for the holiday, while the rest of us had a very relaxed, easy going day. Some played Monopoly, others played the card game Spades, Dominos andmothers simply visited and caught up with each other. It's so hectic, we normally don't have an opportunity to know what's going on in each others lives.



I usually carry Uno, Boggle and Dominos in my car trunk, but wouldn't you know, I didn't have anything. I'd removed them long ago and forgotten to return them. I've been placed on notice by co-worker's to remedy my oversight and correct the situation! LOL



One guy is such a darn good Scrabble player, that everyone fears him. Apparently, he arrived in 1987 from the Phillipines. Unable to find work and believing his English to be in need of improvement, he committed to playing Scrabble daily from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. - playing became his job.



Scrabble consumed his life and after twelve hour days, he would dedicate another two or three hours nightly analyzing and dissecting his every move in a quest to improve and master the game. He even memorized the Scrabble Dictionary, the number of tiles per letter and words ending in Q, I and U.



He became so good, that he outfoxed his family, friends and wanna be opponents. Running out of challengers and feeling unchallenged by those available, he stopped playing. Now he plays very infrequently and cannot approach the game as a fun venture. It always has to be a death match and leaving his playmates feeling in his words "demoralized and defeated!"



J. stopped by to visit and shared her lumpectomy experience. Her cancer's at stage one - which is excellent news - but the doctor wants her to undergo radiation and chemo because of her family history. She's very afraid about hair loss and cried. All did their best to reassure and comfort her and we ended on a high note of laughter and current events.